Law Enforcement

Manhunt underway for ex-LAPD officer suspected of shooting 3 cops
A manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies was underway early Thursday after three police officers were shot -- one fatally -- in Riverside County. Authorities believe that the suspect is a former Los Angeles police officer already wanted in connection with two Orange County slayings. The suspect, Christopher Jordan Dorner, 33, wrote an online manifesto threatening to harm police officials and their families, authorities said, and he is considered "armed and extremely dangerous." The California Highway Patrol issued a "blue alert" for nine Southern California counties. Officials said Dorner is believed to be driving a 2005 blue or gray Nissan Titan, with California license plate 8D83987 or 7X09131.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD seeks public's help in finding missing Canadian tourist
L.A. police asked for the public's help Wednesday in finding a Vancouver, Canada, woman last seen at a downtown hotel nearly a week ago. Elisa Lam, 21, arrived in Los Angeles on Jan. 26 and was last seen Jan. 31 at the Cecil Hotel on Main Street, police said at a news conference. Lam's final destination was believed to be Santa Cruz, authorities said, but it was unclear why she was traveling in California. Police said Lam had been in contact with her family daily but had not communicated with them for six days.
Los Angeles Times

Traffic tickets get a boost with LAPD's laser-accurate speed-detection guns
If you're tired of the LAPD killing fish in a barrel with "ticket traps" and other money-making schemes while motorists make atrocious and dangerous moves in your neighborhood, we have bad news for you. The department has obtained new laser speed-detection guns that can not only pick you out of a crowd but take a photo of your license plate and shake you upside down to ensure the city gets all your money. Okay, that last part was a joke. But seriously: The new LTI 20/20 TruCAM lasers are potent, and the LAPD Valley Traffic Division says they just bought ten of them.
LA Weekly

DWP employee charged in connection with lumber theft
A city employee was charged Wednesday with 60 felony counts, almost all for possessing illegal weapons, in connection with an investigation into high-end wood he allegedly stole from the Department of Water of Power. John Joseph Hunten, 45, pleaded not guilty to the charges -- including allegations he possessed machine guns and a grenade launcher -- at his arraignment Wednesday. He faces at least eight years in state prison if convicted of all counts, prosecutors said.
Los Angeles Times

At least 45 Times subscribers claim property stolen by burglary ring
At least 45 victims of a reputed serial burglary ring that targeted victims with stolen Los Angeles Times subscriber vacation hold lists have had property returned, authorities said Wednesday. Investigators with the L.A. County Sheriff's Department's Major Crimes Bureau said the four men arrested are believed to have burglarized the homes of more than 100 Times subscribers over the last three years and stolen $1 million in property.
Los Angeles Times

Phony calls target utility customers in L.A.
Authorities Wednesday warned Los Angeles residents about criminals who have been calling people and falsely telling them they must pay their utility bills with a prepaid cash card or face immediate service termination. The phony calls have been increasing in frequency in the past few months, according to the Los Angeles Police Department and the Department of Water and Power. "The scam involves imposters posing as utility personnel, contacting customers by telephone, and informing them they are behind in payment of their bill," the LAPD said.
City News Service

Deutsche banker Mulligan sues L.A.P.D. over alleged beating
Former Deutsche Bank AG executive Brian Mulligan sued the Los Angeles Police Department, alleging he was severely beaten, illegally detained and wrongfully accused of using a drug known as bath salts. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, seeks at least $20 million in damages from the May 2012 confrontation with two police officers in the city's Highland Park neighborhood. The police department, the city and officers James Nichols and John Miller were named as defendants.
Bloomberg

Legislation

California measure would force gun owners to buy insurance
Democratic lawmakers proposed legislation Tuesday that would require California gun owners to buy liability insurance to cover damages or injuries caused by their weapons. Similar bills have been introduced in other states after the Newtown, Conn., school massacre. They include Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New York.
Associated Press

City Government

Stop investing in assault-weapon companies, L.A. City Council tells its pension funds
The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday called for the city's three pension systems to divest of investments in companies that produce or profit from the sale of assault weapons and ammunition. The 12-0 vote on the proposal from Councilwoman Jan Perry comes in response to the shootings in Newtown, Conn. It was a nonbinding request from the council, but the city's three pension systems said they are studying the issue.
Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles city website to help fight graffiti, potholes
Moving Los Angeles deeper into the cyber-age, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa unveiled Wednesday a new city webpage and announced plans for a new mobile app to report problems such as graffiti, potholes and bulky item pickups. "This shows how far we have come," Villaraigosa said during a Google Hangout news conference aired over the Internet. "Here we are at Google in Venice Beach at a site that did not exist two years ago because of Silicon Beach and the momentum we are seeing.
Los Angeles Daily News

Advisory panel urges Los Angeles to phase out business tax in 15 years
Los Angeles city officials were urged Wednesday to undertake a 15-year phase-out of its gross receipts tax on business as a way to woo new business. A report from the Business Tax Advisory Committee urged the city adopt a three-phase approach in five-year increments to reduce the tax to its eventual elimination if other revenue comes in to make up for the business tax loss. "We think if you reduce and eliminate the business tax, you will attract businesses to locate here, stay here and expand here," said Lloyd Greif, who chaired the panel.
Los Angeles Daily News